"This is what the king deserves."
After letting Siduri go, Higashino Kanade swiftly put on the Divine Robe, took out Konoha's forehead protector from his pocket, and tied it around his forehead.
"Long live Lord Hokage!"
"Long live the First!"
The crowd's excitement reached its peak. Everyone shouted the Hokage's name, looking at Higashino Kanade with worship and longing, as though a Hokage inauguration ceremony were being held here... No, this was a Hokage inauguration ceremony.
Higashino Kanade, the First Hokage, raised his hand, and the cheering crowd quickly fell silent.
"Ahem."
Higashino Kanade cleared his throat and spoke with a solemn expression.
"As everyone knows, Uruk—and all humanity—faces a crisis of extinction. In the forests to the north, the Demonic Beast Goddess watches us like a tiger eyeing its prey. The primordial mother goddess Tiamat wishes to return and reshape this land. Though Uruk is safe for now, the Northern Wall suffers attacks from demonic beasts day and night. Every moment, even now, people are sacrificing themselves for us."
"Since the Demonic Beast Goddess descended half a year ago, we humans have paid an enormous price. More than half of humanity has become food for the demonic beasts. I'm sure that includes your relatives and your friends."
"To tell you the truth, even I cannot guarantee everyone's safety. I may not be able to stop Tiamat's assault. Uruk may perish. All humanity may even die..."
As Higashino Kanade spoke, the cheerful atmosphere gradually turned heavy. The smiles on nearly everyone's faces vanished, and the shadow of death hung over them all.
"My king..."
Siduri wanted to stop Higashino Kanade's speech. His words were far too damaging to morale. The people of Uruk were now steeling themselves to fight the Demonic Beast Goddess to the death, yet Higashino Kanade